Aberdeen travel to Galsgow’s East End for the final game before the SPL split, with their place in the top half already secure but still with a lot of work to do in terms of sealing European qualification…
Vital Quotes:
Zander Diamond spoke to the EE:
“Our top six place is secured, so now we aim to have a real go at pushing for Europe,”
“That has to begin at Celtic and we will hopefully come away from Parkhead with three points.
“No team is expected to win at Parkhead but we will go there with confidence because we pushed them close in the 3-2 loss earlier this season.
“We also proved in the 4-2 win at Pittodrie that we can compete with them.
“They ran out of ideas in that game and we were comfortable winners.”
Winger Sone Aluko, also insisted the dons could beat Celtic:
“We have upset them before, and we can do it again.
“We upset them 1-0 in the Scottish Cup last season, and pushed them close in the 3-2 defeat there earlier this season.
“Big games, like Celtic at Parkhead, are usually when we stand up and be counted.
“We have to produce a strong performance because we want to keep the pressure on our rivals in the race for third place.”
Celtic Team News:
Georgios Samaras, Darren O’Dea and Barry Robson will all miss the game for Celtic, while captain Stephen MCManus is a doubt.
Player to watch: Shaun Maloney
The winger returns to the Celtic side today having not played since December. His time on the sidelines coincided with Celtic’s dip in form, leaving no doubt that Maloney is one of Celtic’s best players going forward.
Aberdeen Team News:
Strikers Mackie and Miller both miss out leaving the dons short on attacking options. More positive new is that Zander Diamond, Andrew Considine and Mark Kerr return, between them adding some much needed grit to the Aberdeen side.
Player to watch: Jamie Smith
With Mackie and Miller out Smith may be asked to start up front, against his former club. And with a new contract at stake it will be interesting to see how Smith performs.
